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“B+” Includes “A Bigger Dexter McCluster”

May 18th, 2014

A former Buccaneer weighs in on rookie Charles Sims

So what do defensive coordinators facing the Bucs do when Jeff Tedford lines up two big, pass-catching tight ends, two dynamic gargantuan receivers, and Doug Martin and rookie Charles Sims in the backfield?

Now close your eyes and think about smooth-hands Sims breaking off in motion and lining up in the slot.

(Yes, Joe realizes that’s 12 men on the field. But this is a fantasy, almost-reality scenario people on a sunny May afternoon.)

This is very exciting to former Bucs tight end and current Buccaneers Radio Network analyst Anthony Becht. He’s very high on his fellow Mountaineer Sims.

“[Sims] can run the football; don’t get me wrong. And he can run it well, but throughout his career he’s developed that versatility that we were talking about,” Becht said. “He can come out of the backfield, line up in the slot, you know, run wide receiver routes, curls, comebacks, do different things where he looks like he can do it [in the NFL].”

Lovie Smith might have said Sims can do a lot of things Lovie did with Pro Bowler Matt Forte in Chicago, but Becht sees Sims as more like one of his former Chiefs teammates.

“To me, he’s a bigger Dexter McCluster. And when Dexter McCluster was available in free agency [this offseason], I think a lot of people would have loved to sign a guy like that,” Becht said.

Becht shared these and other takes with Pat Donovan on WDAE-AM 620 yesterday. You can hear the full audio below. Unfortunately, Sims doesn’t bring the return prowess of McCluster, but he certainly can be a dangerous weapon if used creatively in the passing game. Keep in mind it took McCluster a year of experience to really break out.

Becht also explains why he gives the Bucs a post-draft grade of “B+.” Enjoy!

30 Responses to ““B+” Includes “A Bigger Dexter McCluster””

That is going to be just SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! an’t wait for McCown to put up Brady and Brees like stats this year and open peoples eyes on how important the system players are in really is and not as much the player as you would think.

So what do defensive coordinators facing the Bucs do when Jeff Tedford lines up two big, pass-catching tight ends, two dynamic gargantuan receivers, and Doug Martin and rookie Charles Sims in the backfield?

“So what do defensive coordinators facing the Bucs do when Jeff Tedford lines up two big, pass-catching tight ends, two dynamic gargantuan receivers, and Doug Martin and rookie Charles Sims in the backfield?”

I’m guessing they tell the zebras to flag us for 12 men on the field lol

Seriously though it’s an exciting set of pieces we have to work with now.

Lately, every time I read about Sims, it’s about his pass catching ability. If you think that is all he brings to the table, you run the risk of grossly underestimating this guys ability to run from scrimmage. He is 6-0, 214lbs, with the acceleration, cat-like quickness, and footwork reminiscent of Gale Sayers to make oncoming tacklers miss. Did I mention speed? I think Sims could be something special!

I’m pretty sure the quarterback will be on the bench, direct snap it to Doug and he will throw a screen to Sims .. ASJ, EVANS, VJAX lined up in trips bunch on the right will plow throw the defense for a 67 yard touchdown !!!

We can all be excited by the possibilities. I will take this line up before anything they had last year and believe they will have the offensive line needed to do the job required what ever the offense calls for. It might not be an All pro line but it will get the job done.

Some enterprising DC will select a small cadre of his fastest, strongest, nastiest, flesh eating, steamroller, no morals, samurai warrior linemen and rotate them over and around the weakest links in the Bucs O line. Frig ‘em, we’ll win anyway.

I tried to temper my excitement for this season long enough, but I’m actually excited for it. Not buying season tickets again though, but I want to bounce around the stadium from week to week to see what seats I like best this time around. I’ll probably go week to week. Just to see these giants running all around the field on offense.

Without a couple of starting-caliber guards McCown won’t have time to take advantage of the favorable matchups in the passing game, and Martin & Sims won’t have any holes to run through in the running game. So let’s not start counting our points on offense just yet, okay? We haven’t arrived. And without two decent guards we WON’T arrive. Period.

I’m excited about the future under Lovie and can’t wait for the season opener, but I can’t help but think of what happened to the Falcons last year with a suspect Oline. Even Ryan had no chance and it wasn’t a first year offense either like ours. Tempering my expectations for the offense but our D should be fun as hell to watch.

FLBoyInDallas Says:
May 18th, 2014 at 1:52 pm
Without a couple of starting-caliber guards McCown won’t have time to take advantage of the favorable matchups in the passing game, and Martin & Sims won’t have any holes to run through in the running game. So let’s not start counting our points on offense just yet, okay? We haven’t arrived. And without two decent guards we WON’T arrive. Period.

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Mccown isn’t like mike Glennon and holds on to the ball for 8 seconds. mccown will recognize the pressure and hit his guys during their route instead of taking a ton of sacks.

This is not a paper thin line. This is a zone blocking line that is set up for a very good passing game and we have the receivers, tight ends, and running backs who can catch passes to make it work. Meredith will be much improved with excellent coaching and all the muscles he has built up in his upper body this off season. Even Nix at 80 per cent will be all we need. Look for this team to be the new Kansas City this year with a new Veteran QB and a Proven Winning Head Coach–which is the way NFLN sees it. No SB this year but able to make the playoffs.